Pattern cam arrangement for sewing machines



y- 1953 TOSHIYUKI FUKUNAGA 3,091,200

PATTERN CAM ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept.7, 1961 IN VENTOR.

y 1963 TOSHIYUKI FUKUNAGA 3,091,200

PATTERN CAM ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 7, 1961 6Sheets-Sheet 2 5 2 wt N LHN INVENTOR.

M y 1963 TOSHlYUKl FUKUNAGA 3,091,200

PATTERN CAM ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 7, 1961 6Sheets-Sheet 3 May 2 1963 TOSHIYUKI FUKUNAGA 3,091,200

PATTERN CAM ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 7, 1961 6Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

BY 2 71249.4 J. fin

y 1963 TOSHIYUKI FUKUNAGA 3,091,200

PATTERN CAM ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 7, 1961 6Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

WW W 71, 4 J. ffi-nz r May 28, 1963 TOSHIYUK! FUKUNAGA 3,091,200

PATTERN CAM ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. '7, 1961 6Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR. 8Y [Z 2 3,091,200 PATTERN CAM ARRANGED/EDITnon SEWING MACHINES The present invention relates to a pattern camarrangement for sewing machines, and more particularly to a pattern camarrangement in which several sewing means are operated from a singlepattern cam which can be selected for operation from a plurality ofPattern cams stored in a magazine.

Zigzag sewing machines are generally provided with a means foroscillating the needle bar support to produce a zigzag stitch, with aneedle positioning means by which the needle and consequently the seamline can be positioned toward the right or toward the left with respectto a middle position, and with feeding means for feeding a cloth at aspeed correlated to the oscillating movement of the needle. In knownsewing machines, a single cam is provided for each of the aboveenumerated sewing devices, and such cams may be individually exchangedfor other cams to produce different patterns. Sewing machines of thistype are not only complicated but have the disadvantage that a cam mustbe selected for each sewing means, since any sewing pattern is producedby the combination of the patterns of the several cams which control thesewing means.

Another construction provides a multiple cam which is directly connectedto a drive shaft, and cooperates with cam followers which can beselectively associated with different cam tracks. In this machine, it isnecessary to provide an indicating plate showing many patterns, and onthe other hand the number of possible patterns is limited.

It is one object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantagesof known pattern cam controlled sewing machines, and to provide a zigzagsewing machine of simple construction permitting the sewing of a greatnumber of different zigzag stitches.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a zigzag sewingmachine which does not require an indicating table for indicatingpossible patterns.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a zigzag sewingmachine in which several pattern cams are provided, each of whichcontrols several sewing functions of the machine, and can be selected bysimple manual operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for selectinga pattern cam from a number of pattern cams stored in a magazine, andfor placing the selected pattern cam in an operative positioncontrolling sewing means of the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism bywhich a selected pattern cam is first moved from a magazine to anoperative position, and then automatically coupled to drive means whichrotate the pattern cam.

Another object of the present invention is to automatically retract acam follower means during the selection of a pattern cam, and toautomatically engage the cam follower means with a selected pattern camwhen the same is coupled to the drive means.

With these objects in view, a sewing machine according to one embodimentof the invention comprises a magazine; a plurality of pattern camslocated in the magazine; selector means for moving a selected cam fromthe ELWLZfifi Patented May 28, 1963 magazine to an operative position;drive means for driving a selected cam in the operative position; camfollower means preferably including a plurality of cam followerscooperating with different cam tracks of a selected cam; and movablesewing means, for example, an oscillatable needle bar support, feedingmeans, and needle positioning means, connected to the cam follower meansand actuated by the same under control of a selected cam in theoperative position.

In this manner it is possible to select various pattern cams, each ofwhich controls several sewing functions of the machine. 7

In one embodiment of the invention, selector means successively shiftthe cams in the magazine to a discharge position, and support meanssupport the selected cam in the discharge position, and are movable forplacing the selected cam in the operative position.

The same control means which control the movement of the support means,are used for controlling the coupling of a selected cam in operativeposition to the drive means, and for retracting the cam follower meansduring the transport of the selected cam from the discharge posi tion toan operative position.

The control means include a handle, and a control cam acting through camfollower members on the respectively controlled parts.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable supportingmeans for the selected cam is of partcircular shape, and engages theperiphery of a circular pattern cam which has a plurality of cam trackson the sides thereof. The magazine has a corresponding partcircularshape, and the selection is effected by shifting a row of adjacentpattern cams along the magazine so that the pattern cams successivelyarrive over an opening or slot in which the part-circular supportingmeans is located to complete the surface on which the row of camsslides. When a desired cam is located in the slot and on the movablesupporting means, the latter is shifted to move the selected cam to theoperative position in which it is clamped to the drive means.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sewing machine according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the upper coverof the machine omitted;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the pattern camarrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front view of the pattern cam arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the pattern cam arrangement;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a magazine for patterncams according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front view of the magazine shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 88 inFIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a detail of themagazine;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the control means bywhich selected pattern cams are rendered operative;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a control cam I of theconstruction of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a pattern cam;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the pattern cam shown in FIG. 12.;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a coupling part of the driveshaft for driving the pattern cam;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary front view of means for controlling the stitchamplitude and the position of the needle with respect to a middleposition;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 1616 in FIG. 15;and

FIG. 17 is a sectional View taken on line 1717 in FIG. 1, andillustrating the mechanism controlling the feeding means of the sewingmachine.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 5, anoperating member 2 controls the amplitude of the zigzag stitches, anoperating member 3 controls the position of the needle relative to amiddle position so that'the position of the seam line can be varied, andan operating member 4 controls the feeding means by which cloth is fedto the oscillating needle 115 of the sewing machine. Operatingmember 3carries a bracket 6 and is urged by spring 64 to move to the right asviewed in FIG. 3, operating member 2 acts on a lever which passesthrough a slot in operating member 4 and is urged by spring 63 againstoperating member 2, and operating member 4 is biased by spring 65 andhas a bracket 7 pivotally connected to a lever 134.

Operating members 2, 3 and 4 are controlled by the pattern camarrangement according to the present invention, as will be hereinafterdescribed in detail.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 15 and 16, a rocking arm is pivotallymounted on a pivot means 101, and has on one side a wide straight groove102, and on its other side a narrower curved groove 103. A rotary cam104 driven by a drive shaft 165 through gears 106 and 167 is located ingroove 192 so that rotation of cam 104 effects rocking of arm 100 aboutpivot 101.

Needle bar support 112 is swingable about a pivot 113 and carries aneedle bar 114 and a needle 115. A connecting rod 111 is connected tothe needle bar support 112 and has a pin 129 secured'thereto which isslidable in the groove 121 of an arm of an angular lever 109, which ispivotally mounted at 110. The other arm of lever 109 supports a pin 108having a slide portion sliding in groove 193 and another slide portionsliding in a groove of a lever 116 which is articulated to a lever 117having the lever arm 5 which is controlled by the operating member 2.Consequently, displacement of operating member2 shifts pin 108 alonggroove 103 whereby the amplitude of the oscillation of needle barsupport 112 is varied effect, ing a corresponding variation of the widthof the zigzag stitch. A handle 123, see FIG. 2, controls the lever 122for moving pin 120 along groove 121 so that the position of the needlecan be changed by manual operation.

A rocking arm 106 is articulated by a pivot 101 to a lever 118 which isrocked about its fulcrum 119 by bracket 6 of operating member 3.Consequently, movement of operating member 3 effects displacement ofpivot 101 so that the needle bar support is positioned to the right orto the left'of a middle line, whereby the position of the zigzagstitches is varied.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a lever 124 is connected with a feeding means126 for cloth through a linkage 125. The upper end of lever 124 isforked and engaged by rotary cam 127 which is driven by drive shaft 105.The middle portion of lever 124 carries a pivot 129 which is located ina guide groove 130 of a guide member 128 so that rotatron of cam 127effects a reciprocating motion of lever 124 along groove 130 so that alower end of lever 124 moves up and down for etfecting a reciprocatingmotion of the feeding means 126. Guide member 128 is pivoted at 131 andis biased to turn in counterclockwise direction by spring 132. An arm ofguide member 128 is engaged by a spring loaded pin 133 on which aportion of lever 134 abuts. Since lever 134 is controlled by portion 7of operating member 4, movements of operating member 4 effect annularmovements of guide member 128 so that the angle of the guide groove 13!is varied,'so that the stroke of lever 124 is varied, resulting in avariation of the horizontal reciprocating motion of the feeding means126. In accordance with the operation of operating member 4, the clothwill be fed different distances during each zigzag stitch. A manuallycontrolled pin 136 can be used for adjusting the guide member 128independently of operating member 4.

The above described mechanism is not an object of the present invention.It will be understood, however, that the three operating members 2, 3,and 4, respectively control the amplitude of the zigzag stitches, thelateral position of the zigzag stitches, and the feeding speed of thecloth which has an influence on the length of the stitches.

Operating members 2, 3 and 4 are superimposed and slidably connected toeach other by guide pins '8 and 9 sliding in corresponding slots.

A pattern cam 43, which will be described hereinafter in greater detail,has on opposite sides thereof cam grooves 44, 47 and 45, 46. Camfollower means including three cam followers 10, 11 and 12, respectivelycooperate with the cam tracks in grooves 44, 45 and 46. Cam follower 10is turnable about a shaft 14, and cam followers 11, and 12 are turnableabout a shaft 15, shafts 14 and 15 being mounted on a fired bracket 13.Cam followers 10, 11 and 12 have forked end portions 17, engaged by pins16 which are respectively carried by operating members 2, 3 and 4.Consequently, rotation of cam 43 by drive shaft 42 will effectoscillations of cam followers 10, 11 and'12 in accordance with differentcam track patterns so that operating members 2, 3, and 4 are oscillatedand control the operation of the above described sewing means so as toautomatically and continuously vary the amplitude of the zigzagstitches, the posit-ion of the zigzag stitches, and the length of thezigzag stitches.

In addition to the cam followers 10, 11 and 12, operating members 2, 4,and 3 carry cam follower memhers 18, 19, and 20, respectively. Camfollower member 13 is located on one side, andcam follower members 19and 20 are located on the other side of the cam portion 26 of a controlcam 21 whose shape is best seen in FIG. 11. Control cam 21.has anintegral handle 22 and is turnable with a shaft 29 which is mounted in abearing in a frame part 30. A bushing 28 is secured to shaft 29 andcarries a projecting pin 31. A shaft 24 is mounted in bearings inmembers 33 and 30, and has a head portion 32 formed with a recess inwhich one end of a coil spring 23 is located. The other end of spring 23is positioned on pin 31 and abuts bushing 23 as best seen in FIG. 10.Since spring 23 is longer than the distance between bushing 28 and headportion 32, spring 23 is curved when control cam 21 is in each of itsend positions, and is compressed when control cam 21 passes through anintermediate position so that control means 21, 22 tends to snap intoeither end position and turns shaft 24 rapidly to correspondingpositions. Since the lateral surfaces of control cam portion 26 controlcam follower means 10, 11,' 12 through cam follower members 18, 19, 20and operating members 2, 4, 3, cam follower members 10, 11 and 12 arerapidly moved between a farther spaced inoperative position, and a moreclosely spaced operative position in which they engage the cam tracks ofcam 43 under the action of springs 63, 64, 65. As best seen in FIGS. 3,6, 7, 8, and 9, shaft 24, which is turnable in bearings 39' and 33mounted on the casing of the machine'l, carries a projecting eye portion25a of a part-circular supporting means 25, which 'is moved from theposition shown in solid lines in FIG. 8, to the position shown in brokenlines in FIG. 8, when control means 21, 22 is turned and effects throughspring 23 turning of shaft 24. A

magazine 48 for pattern cams includes a part-circular support or holdingmeans 49 which is stationary, and a part-circular support 54 which istu-rnable about hinge means 51 between a normal position in whichsupports 49 and 50 are aligned, and an open loading position shown inbroken lines in FIGS. 8 and 9. In the loading position of movablesupport 50, a row of pattern cams can be placed in support 50, whereuponthe same is turned to its normal position. The fixed support 49 has aslot 52 having a width corresponding to the thickness of a cam 43, andsince the movable supporting means 25 has a normal position located inthis slot 52, it supports a cam 43 located in the region of the slot.When movable supporting means 25 is turned by control means 21, 22 tothe second position thereof, it carries the respective cam 43 to anoperative position aligned with drive shaft 42.

A row of pattern cams 43 is located on the fixed support 49, slidablethereon in axial direction. A selector means 54 includes a plurality ofWall portions 55 respectively located between stored earns 43, and beingmovable along a fixed rail 53, as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, so thatthe entire row of pattern cams can be moved along the part-cylindricalinner surface of supports 49 and 50 to successively place earns 43 inthe region of slot 52, and on the movable supporting means 25. When allcams 43 are placed on the movable support 50, the same can be pivoted tothe loading position, whereupon the cams 43 supported thereon areremoved by the op erator, and replaced by other pattern earns 43 whichare received between the walls 55 when movable support 59 is turned backto its normal position. When the new pattern cams 43 are then shifted byselecting means 54 to the left as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7, to rest onsupport 49 so that successive cams are placed on the movable supportingmeans 25, so that any selected cam may be shifted to its operativeposition aligned with drive shaft 42. Support 49 is preferably made of atransparent material so that indications of the stitch pattern shown onthe periphery of the pattern earns 43, may be observed by the operatorduring the selection of a cam.

Drive shaft 42 carries a gear 61, and is driven through gears 60, 59,and 58 from main shaft 105 which carries a pulley 62 to be driven in aconventional manner by a motor or a treadle.

As best seen in FIGS. 3, 6 and 14, drive shaft 42 ends in an abutmentportion 41 having a coupling face provided with ridges 56 which engagecorresponding grooves 57, see FIGS. 12 and 13, in a pattern earn 43 inoperative position, so that the respective cam is coupled to drive shaft42. A shaft 34 is slidably supported in a frame portion 35, as best seenin FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, and is biased in axial direction by a spring 36 sothat a centering end portion of shaft 34 engages a corresponding centerrecess in a cam 43 in operative position and presses the same againstthe coupling face 56. Shaft 34 has a pin 37 projecting therefrom andpassing through a slot 39 in a bearing part 35. The projecting end ofpin 37 is engaged by one arm of .an annular cam follower lever 38 whoseother arm engages the peripheral face of the control cam portion 27 ofcontrol cam means 21. Lever 38 is also shown in FIG. from which it willbecome apparent that turning of control cam means 21 will displace camfollower lever 38 so that pin 37 is pushed to the right as viewed inFIG. 3 for retracting shaft 34 against the action of spring 36. Whenshaft 34 is retracted, a cam 43 in operative position aligned with shaft42 is no longed clamped and coupled to shaft 42, and consequently it ispossible to turn the movable support means 25 to the position in whichit is located in the slot 52 of magazine support 49, so that therespective cam 43 is returned to the magazine. The transport of cam 43is possible when cam followers 10 and 11, 12

are moved apart to release the cam tracks 47, 45, 46 engaged thereby.

The pattern cam arrangement according to the present invention operatesas follows:

Control cam means 21, 22 may be assumed to be in aposition in which thethicker upper portion of control cam 26 is located between the camfollower members 18, and 19, 20. Operating member 2 is pressed to theright, and operating members 3 and 4 are pressed to the left as viewedin FIG. 3, and consequently cam followers 10, and 11, 12 are spreadapart a corresponding distance. In this position, control cam 27 holdscam follower lever 38 in a position in which shaft 34 is retracted andprovides .a free space between its centering end and the coupling face56 of drive shaft 42. Shaft 24 is turned through spring 23 to a positionin which movable supporting means 25 is located in the slot 52 ofsupport 49 of magazine 48, as shown in FIG. 8. When four pattern earns43 are located on the stationary support or holding means 49 of magazine48, as shown in FIG. 7, the pattern cam 43 at the right end of the rowof pattern cams is located in the region of slot 52 and rests on themovable supporting means 52.

Selector means 54 can now be operated by its handle to move along rail53 and to slide the row of pattern cams 43 to the right as viewed inFIG. 7 so that the pattern cams successively move onto the part-circularsupporting means 25, and are supported by the same.

When a desired pattern cam 43 arrives on supporting means 25, which canbe determined by the operator by viewing indications on the peripheriesof the cam track-s through the transparent support 49, the operatoractuates control means 21, 22 by turning handle 22 downwards. Shaft 29of control cam means 26, 27 turns a corresponding angle, so that spring23 first moves to intermediate position, and then rapidly expands toquickly turn shaft 24 from the position in which the movable supportingmeans 25 is located in the slot 52 to a second position shown in brokenlines in FIG. 8 for transporting the selected cam to a position alignedwith shafts 42 and 34, which are still separated, so that it is possibleto place the selected cam 43 in the operative position. Control cam 21is so designed that cam follower members 18 and 19, 20 and cam followers10 and 11, 12 are still spaced apart when supporting means 25 places theselected cam 43 in its operative position.

During further turning of control means 21, 22, cont-rol cam 27gradually releases cam follower lever 38 so that pin 37 is no longerheld by cam follower lever 38 and permits spring 36 to move shaft 34 tothe left as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 6, so that the selected pattern cam 43is clamped between the coupling face 56 and a flange at the end of shaft34, and coupled to drive shaft 42 for rotation. Substantially at thesame time, control cam 26 has been turned to a position in which athinner portion of control cam 26 acts on the cam follower members 18and 19, 20 so that operating, members 3, 4, and 5 are free to move thecam followers 10, and 11, 12 under the action of springs 63, 64, 65 to aposition respectively engaging the cam tracks 47, 45, 46 on the selectedcam 43. When drive shaft 42 is rotated from the main shaft 185 throughgears 58, 59, 60 and 61, the selected cam 43 in operative position isrotated which is possible due to the part-circular shape of thesupporting means 25. Cam followers 10, 11 and 12 perform correspondingoscillations which are transmitted through operating members 2, 4 and 3,respectively to the respective sewing means controlled thereby.

Cam follower 10 operates through operating member 2, lever 5, lever 117,lever 116, lever 108 and lever 109, lever 121 and connecting rod 111,see FIGS. 15 and 16, which acts on the needle her support 112 tooscillate needle 115 in a zigzag stitch whose amplitude depends on thepattern of track 47.

Cam follower 12 controls through operating members J 3, 6, lever 118 thefulcrum 161 so that the center line of the zigzag stitches is shiftedrelative to a middle position in accordance with the pattern of cam 45.

Cam follower 11 controls through operating member 4, lever 134, pin 133,and guide means 128, 130, the path of the fulcrum pin 129 of lever 124so that the stroke of the feeding means is varied in accordance with thepattern of cam track 46.

In this manner several sewing means which influence the shape of azigzag stitch are simultaneously operated under control of the selectedcam 43 in operative position which acts on the cam follower means 10,11, 12.

When another stitch pattern is desired, control means 21, 22 is turnedupwards incounterclock-wise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, so that thewider portion of control cam 26 moves cam follower members 18 and 19, 20apart which effects also movement of the cam follower means 10, '11, 12,to a position releasing cam 43. At the same time, shaft 34 is retractedby the action of control cam 27 acting on cam follower lever 38 whichpushes pin 37 to the right as viewed in FIG. 3. Control cam means 26, 27has now reached a position in which cam 43 is free, and in thisposition, spring 31 becomes effective to turn shaft 24 in a rapid motionto its other end position so that a movable supporting means 25transports cam 43 from its operative position back into the magazine 48where the cam rests on supporting means 25 in the region of the slot 52.

The operator may now shift selector means 54, see FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, sothat a row of cams in the magazine is shifted whereby successive earns43 in the magazine are placed in the region of slot 52 and on thepart-circular supporting means 25. The thus selected cam 43 can now beplaced in its operative position by operation of handle 22, as describedabove.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also. find a useful application in other types ofzigzag sewing machines differing from the. type described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in apattern cam arrangement for a zigzag sewing machine including a magazinefor a number of pattern cams having aplurality of cam tracks forcontrolling several sewing means, it is not intended to be limited tothe details shown, since various modifications and structural changesmay be made Without departing in any way from the spirit of the presentinvention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine, each of said pattern cams havinga plurality of cam tracks; selector means for moving a selected cam ofsaid pattern cams from said magazine to an operative position; drivemeans for driving a selected cam in said operative position; camfollower means including a plurality of cam followers, each cam followerhaving an engaging position for engaging a cam track of a selected camin said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; and aplurality of movable sewing elements respectively connected to said camfollowers and actuated by the same under control of said cam tracks of aselected cam in said operative position.

2. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine, each of said pattern cams havingthree cam tracks; selector means for moving a selected cam of saidpattern cams from said magazine to an operative position; drive meansfor driving a selected cam in said operative position; three camfollowers having engaging positions for engaging said cam tracks,respectively, of a selected cam in said operative position so as to beoscillated by said cam tracks; and sewing means including anoscillatable needle bar support, a needle positioning device, and afeeding device respectively connected to said cam followers, andactuated by the same under control of a selected cam in said operativeposition.

3. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine, each pattern cam having aplurality of cam tracks; selector means for successively shiftingselected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a dischargeposition; support means movable between a first position for supportinga selected cam in said discharge position and a second position forsupporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside ofsaid magazine; drive means having an inoperative position, and anoperative position for engaging and driving a selected cam in saidoperative position; cam follower means including plurality of camfollowers having an engaging position for engaging said cam tracks of aselected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by thesame; a plurality of movable sewing means connected to said camfollowers, respectively; and control means connected to said drive meansand to said support means for first moving said support means with aselected cam from said first postion to said second position, and forthen moving said drive means from said inoperative position to saidoperative position whereby the selected cam is driven and actuates saidmovable sewing means through said cam follower means.

4. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine, each pattern cam having aplurality of cam tracks; selector means for successively shiftingselected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a dischargeposition; support means movable between a first position for sup portinga selected cam in said discharge position and a second position forsupporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside ofsaid magazine; drive means having an inoperative position, and anoperative position for engaging and driving a selected cam in saidoperative position; cam follower means including a plurality of camfollowers having an inoperative position and an engaging position forengaging said cam tracks of a selected cam in said operative position soas to be oscillated by the same; a plurality of movable sewing meansconnected to said cam followers, respectively; and control meansconnected to said drive means, to said cam follower means, and to saidsupport means for first moving said support means with a selected camfrom said first position to said second position, and for then movingsaid drive means from said inoperative position to said operativeposition and said cam follower means from said inoperative position tosaid engaging position whereby the selected cam is driven and actuatessaid, movable sewing means through said cam follower means.

5. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine, each pattern cam having aplurality of cam tracks; selector means for successively shiftingselected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a dischargeposition; support means movable between a first position for supportinga selected cam in said discharge position and a second position forsupporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside ofsaid magazine; drive means having an inoperative position, and anoperative position for engaging and driving a selected cam in saidoperative position; a cam follower lever connected to said drive meansfor shifting the same between said hi operative position and saidoperative position; cam follower means including a plurality of camfollowers having an engaging positionfor engaging said 'cam tracks of aselected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by thesame; a plurality of movable sewing means connected to said camfollowers, respectively; and control means including a control camengaging said cam follower lever and being connected to said supportmeans for first moving said support means with a selected cam from saidfirst position to said second position, and for then moving said drivemeans through said control cam and cam follower lever from saidinoperative position to said operative position whereby the selected camis driven and actuates said movable sewing means through said camfollower means.

6. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine, each pattern c-am having aplurality of cam tracks; selector means for successively shiftingselected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a dischargeposition; support means movable between a first position for supportinga selected cam in said discharge position and a second position forsupporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside ofsaid magazine; drive means having an inoperative position, and anoperative position for engaging and driving a selected cam in saidoperative position; a cam follower lever connected to said drive meansfor shifting the same between said inoperative and operative positions;cam follower means including a plurality of cam followers having aninoperative position and an engaging position for engaging said camtracks of a selected cam in said operative position so as to beoscillated by the same; a cam follower member connected to each of saidcam followers for shifting the same between said inoperative positionand said engaging position; a plurality of movable sewing meansconnected to said cam followers, respectively; and control meansincluding a first control cam engaging said cam follower lever, and asecond control cam engaging said cam follower members, said controlmeans being connected to said support means for first moving saidsupport means with a selected cam from said first position to saidsecond position, and for then moving said drive means through said firstcontrol cam and said cam follower lever from said inoperative positionto said operative position, and said cam followers through the secondcontrol cam and said cam follower members from said inoperative positionto said engaging position whereby the selected cam is driven andactuates said movable sewing means through said cam follower means.

7. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine; selector means for successivelyshifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to adischarge position; support means movable between a first position forsupporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a secondposition for supporting said selected cam in an operative positionlocated outside of said magazine; control means for shifting saidsupport means and being spring-loaded to move .between two end positionsand an intermediate dead center position so as to rapidly move to eitherend position after passing said dead center position, said support meansbeing in said first and second positions, respectively, when saidcontrol means is in said end positions, respectively; drive means fordriving a selected cam in said. operative position; cam follower meanshaving an engaging position for engaging a selected cam in saidoperative position so as to be oscillated by the same; and movablesewing means connected to said cam follower means and actuated by thesame under control of a selected cam in said operative position.

8. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine, each pattern cam having aplurality of cam tracks; selector means for successively shiftingselected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a dischargeposition; support means movable between a first position for supportinga selected cam in said discharge position and a second position forsupporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside ofsaid magazine; drive means having an inoperative position, and anoperative position for engaging and driving a selected cam in saidoperative position; cam follower means including a plurality of camfollowers having an engaging position for engaging said cam tracks of aselected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by thesame; a plurality of movable sewing means connected to said camfollowers, respectively; and control means connected to said drive meansand to said support means for first moving said support means with aselected cam from said first position to said second position, and forthen moving said drive means from said inoperative position to saidoperative position whereby the selected cam is driven and actuates saidmovable sewing means through said cam follower means, said control meansbeing springloaded to move between two end positions and an intermediatedead center position so as to rapidly move to either end position afterpassing said dead center position, said support means being in saidfirst and second positions, respectively, when said control means is insaid end positions, respectively.

9. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine, each pattern cam having aplurality of cam tracks; selector means for successively shiftingselected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a dischargeposition; support means movable between a first position for supportinga selected cam in said discharge position and a second position forSupporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside ofsaid magazine; drive means having an inoperative position, and anoperative position for engaging and driving a selected cam in saidoperative position; a cam follower lever connected to said drive meansfor shifting the same between said inoperative and operative positions;cam follower means including a plurality of cam followers having aninopera: tive position and an engaging position for engaging said camtracks of a selected cam in said operative position so as to beoscillated by the same; a cam follower member connected to each of saidcam followers for shifting the same between said inoperative positionand said engaging position; a plurality of movable sewing meansconnected to said cam followers, respectively; and control meansincluding a first control cam engaging said cam follower lever, and asecond control cam engaging said cam follower members, said controlmeans being connected to said support means for first moving saidsupport means with a selected cam from said first position to saidsecond position, and for then moving said drive means through said firstcontrol cam and said cam follower lever from said inoperative positionto said operative position, and said cam followers through the secondcontrol cam and said cam follower member from said inoperative positionto said engaging position whereby the selected cam is driven andactuates said movable sewing means through said cam follower means,said'control means being spring-loaded to move between two end positionsand an intermediate dead center position so as to rapidly move to eitherend position after passing said dead center position, said support meansbeing in said first and second positions, respectively, when saidcontrol means is in said end positions, respectively.

10. An arrangement as set forth in claim 9, wherein said control meansincludes a handle connected to said first and second control cams forsimultaneously moving the same. i

11. An arrangement as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first andsecond control cams are an integral body.

12. An arrangement as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second controlcam has a plurality of cam faces respectively engaging said cam followerparts; and including a plurality of operating members connecting saidcam followers with said cam follower members and being respectivelyoperatively connected with said sewing means.

13. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine having an elongatedsupport formed with an opening and extending in one direction; aplurality of pattern cams located on said elongated support and forminga row in said direction; a selector means having a selector handle and aplurality of engaging portions respectively engaging said cams in saidmagazine and being shiftable in said direction for moving said cams sothat selected cams are successively aligned with said opening in adischarge position; support means movable between a first positionlocated in said opening for supporting a selected cam in said dischargeposition aligned with said opening and a second position for supportingsaid selected cam in an operative position located outside of saidmagazine; control means for shifting said support means between saidfirst and second positions; drive means for driving a selected cam insaid operative position; cam follower means having an engaging positionfor engaging a selected cam in said operative position so as to beoscillated by the same; and movable sewing means connected to said camfollower means and actuated by the same under control of a selected camin said operative position.

14. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine having an elongatedsupport of part-circular cross section formed with an opening andextending in one direction; a plurality of circular pattern cams locatedon said elongated support and forming a row in said direction; selectormeans having a selector handle and a plurality of engaging portionsrespectively located between said cams in said magazine and beingshiftable in said direction for moving said cams so that selected camsare successively aligned with said opening in a discharge position;support means including apart-circular support portion and being movablebetween a first position in which said support portion is located insaid opening for supporting a selected cam in said discharge positionaligned with said opening and a second position for supporting saidselected camin an operative position located outside of said magazine;control means for shifting said support means between said first andsecond positions;

drive means for drivinga selected cam in said operative position; camfollower means having an engaging position for engaging a selected camin said operative position so as to :be oscillated by the same; andmovable sewing means connected to said cam follower means and actuatedby the same under control of a selected cam in said operative position.

15. An arrangement as set forth in claim 14, wherein said magazineincludes a movable support of part-circular cross section having anormal position aligned with said elongated support so that said patterncams can slide from one support to the other support and a loadingposition for removing pattern cams therefrom, and for loading otherpattern earns.

16; In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine; selector means for successivelyshifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to adischarge position; support means movable between a first position forsupporting a selected cam in :said discharge position and a secondposition for supporting said selected cam in an operativelpositionlocated outside of said magazine; drive means for driving a selected camin said operative position, said drive means including a drive shafthaving a free end with a coupling face, and a spring-loaded clampingmember aligned with said drive shaft and having a retracted positionfarther spaced from said coupling face and a clamping position moreclosely spaced from the same, a selected cam in said operative positionbeing located between said coupling face and said clamping member andbeing movable between said discharge position and said operativeposition when said clamping member is in said retracted position, saidclamping memher and said coupling face clamping in said clampingposition a selected cam in said operative position so that said driveshaft is coupled-to said selected cam and rotates the same; cam followermeans including a plurality of cam followers, each cam follower havingan engaging position for engaging a cam track of a selected cam in saidoperative position so as to be oscillated by the same; control meansconnected to said clamping member and to said support means for firstmoving said support means to said second position, and for then movingsaid clamping means to said clamping position; and a plurality ofmovable sewing elements respectively connected to said cam followers andactuated by the same under control of said cam tracks of a selected camin said operative position.

17. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine; selector means for successivelyshifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to adischarge position; support means movable between a first position forsupporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a secondposition for supporting-said selected cam in an operative positionlocated outside of said magazine; drive means for driving a selected camin said operative position, said drive means including adrive shafthaving a free end with a coupling face, and a spring-loaded clampingmember aligned with said drive shaft and having a retracted positionfarther spaced from said coupling face and a clamping position moreclosely spaced from the same, a selected cam in said operativepositionbeing located between said coupling face and said clampingmember and being movable between said discharge position and saidoperative position when said clamping member is in said retractedposition, said clamping mem ber and said coupling face clamping in saidclamping position a selected cam in said operative position so that saiddrive shaft is coupled to said selected cam and rotates the same; camfollower means movable between an inoperative position and an engagingposition including a plurality of cam followers, each cam followerhaving an engaging position for engaging a cam track of a selected camin said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; controlmeans connected to said clamping member, to said cam follower means, andto said support means for first moving said support means to said secondposition, and for then moving said. clamping means to said clampingposition and said cam followers to said engaging position; and aplurality ofmovable sewing elements respectively connected to said camfollowers and actuated by the same under control of said cam tracks of aselected cam in said operative position.

18. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine, a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine; selector means for successivelyshifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to adischarge position; support means movable between a first position forsupporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a secondposition for supporting said selected cam in an operative positionlocated outside of said magazine; drive means for driving a selected camin said operative position, said drive means including a drive shafthaving a free end with a coupling face, and a spring loaded clampingmember aligned with said drive shaft and having a retracted positionfarther spaced from said coupling face and a clamping position moreclosely spaced from the same, a selected cam in said operative positionbeing, located between said coupling face and said clamping member andbeing movable between said discharge posi-' tion and said operative,position when said clamping member is in said retracted position, saidclamping member and said coupling face clamping in said clamping.

position a selected cam in said operative positoin so that said driveshaft is coupled to said selected cam and rotates the same; cam followermeans movable between 13 an inoperative position and an engagingposition including a plurality of cam followers, each cam followerhaving an engaging position for engaging a cam track of a selected camin said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; controlmeans including a handle connected to said clamping member, a controlcam operated by said handle, cam follower members respectively connectedto said cam followers and to said support means for first moving saidsupport means to said second position, and for then moving said clampingmeans to said clamping position and said cam followers to said engagingposition; and a plurality of movable sewing elements respectivelyconnected to said cam followers and actuated by the same under controlof said cam tracks of a selected cam in said operative position.

19. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of camslocated in said magazine in an inoperative position; support meansmovable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in saidinoperative position and a second position for supporting said selectedcam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; drivemeans located in the region of said movable support means in said secondposition for driving the selected cam in said operative position; camfollower means located in the region of said movable support means insaid second position for engaging the selected cam in said operativeposition so as to be actuated by the same; and movable sewing meansconnected to said cam follower means and actuated by the same undercontrol of the selected cam in said operative position.

20. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality ofpattern cams located in said magazine in an inoperative position;selector means for successively moving said cams in said magazine to adischarge position; support means movable between a first position forsupporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a secondposition for supporting the selected cam in an operative positionlocated outside of said magazine; drive means located in the region ofsaid movable support means in said second position for driving theselected cam in said operative position; cam follower means located inthe region of said movable support means in said second position forengaging the selected cam in said operative position so as to beactuated by the same; and movable sewing means connected to said camfollower means and actuated by the same under control of the selectedcam in said operative position.

21. In a sewing machine, in combination, a plurality of cams; a supportmeans movable in a first direction between a first position and a secondposition; mounting means for mounting said cams and said support meansfor movement relative to each other in a second direction transverse tosaid first direction so that said cams successively assume a dischargeposition aligned with said support means in said first position andsupported thereby; means for moving said support means between saidfirst position and said second position so that a cam supported by saidsupport means is placed in an operative position spaced from the othercams; drive means located in the region of said movable support in saidsecond position for driving the selected cam in said operative position;cam follower means located in the region of said movable support in saidsecond position for engaging the selected cam in said operative positionso as to be actuated by the same; and movable sewing means connected tosaid cam follower means and actuated by the same under control of theselected cam in said operative position.

22. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of camslocated in said magazine in an inoperative position; selector means forsuccessively moving said cams to a discharge position; support meansmovable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in saiddischarge position and a second position for supporting the selectedcams in an operative position located spaced from said magazine; drivemeans located in the region of said movable support means in said secondposition, said drive means having an inoperative position, and anoperative position for engaging and driving the selected cam in saidoperative position; cam follower means located in the region of saidmovable support in said second position for engaging the selected cam insaid operative position so as to be actuated by the same; movable sewingmeans connected to said cam follower means and adapted to be actuated bythe same; and control means connected to said drive means and to saidsupport means for first moving said support means with the selected camfrom said first position to said second position, and for then movingsaid drive means from said inoperative position to said operativeposition whereby the selected cam is driven and actuates said movablesewing means through said cam follower means.

23. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine having a transparentwall; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine in aninoperative position, said pattern cams having indicia thereon locatedbehind said transparent wall so as to be adapted to be observed by anoperator; selector means for successively moving said pattern cams insaid magazine to a discharge position and adapted to be operated by anoperator observing said indicia of said pattern cams through saidtransparent wall so that the operator selects the cam placed in saiddischarge position; support means movable between a first position forsupporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a secondposition for supporting the selected cam in an operative positionlocated outside of said magazine; drive means located in the region ofsaid movable support means in said second position for driving theselected cam in said operative position; cam follower means located inthe region of said movable support means in said second position forengaging the selected cam in said operative position so as to beactuated by the same; and movable sewing means connected to said camfollower means and actuated by the same under control of the selectedcam in said operative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,755,754 Urscheler July 24, 1956 2,966,869 Fischer Jan. 3, 19612,969,756 Eriksson Jan. 31, 1961 3,013,512 Yamashita Dec. 19, 1961

1. IN A SEWING MACHINE, IN COMBINATION, A MAGAZINE; A PLURALITY OFPATTERN CAMS LOCATED IN SAID MAGAZINE, EACH OF SAID PATTERN CAMS HAVINGA PLURALITY OF CAM TRACKS; SELECTOR MEANS FOR MOVING A SELECTED CAM OFSAID PATTERN CAMS FROM SAID MAGAZINE TO AN OPERATIVE POSITION; DRIVEMEANS FOR DRIVING A SELECTED CAM IN SAID OPERATIVE POSITION; CAMFOLLOWER MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CAM FOLLOWERS, EACH CAM FOLLOWERHAVING AN ENGAGING POSITION FOR ENGAGING A CAM TRACK OF A SELECTED CAMIN SAID OPERATIVE POSITION SO AS TO BE OSCILLATED BY THE SAME; AND APLURALITY OF MOVABLE SEWING ELEMENTS RESPECTIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID CAMFOLLOWERS AND ACTUATED BY THE SAME UNDER CONTROL OF SAID CAM TRACKS OF ASELECTED CAM IN SAID OPERATIVE POSITION.